The purpose of this public meeting is to discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed rule to establish standards for the growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce for human consumption. This rule was proposed in January 2013 to help implement the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), with updates to certain provisions published in September 2014.

The FDA is seeking public input on the impacts identified in the Draft EIS. The purpose of the public meeting is to

inform the public of the provisions of the proposed rule that may significantly affect the quality of the environment and the identified impacts,

to provide information about the EIS process (including how to submit comments, data, and other information to the rulemaking docket),

March 10, 2015: Approximate closing date to submit either electronic or written comments to FDA’s Division of Dockets Management. See Docket No. FDA-2014-N-2244 on http://www.regulations.gov for the official closing date.